Causes of Macbeth's Downfall

Paper Summary:

This paper examines the causes (Ambition, Lady Macbeth, Witches) of Macbeth's downfall from a loyal soldier to a brutal murderer and also the events that led to his tragic death at the end of the play. Manipulation, the supernatural, and ambition are discussed.

From the Paper:

"The play "Macbeth" gives the audience many opportunities to consider the reasons for the main character's actions. At first, Macbeth is a brave and noble warrior. His thirst for power causes him to murder his friend, his king, and an innocent family. By the end of the play he is full of despair and has lost all interest in life. His ambition, his dominating wife, and the manipulative witches all contribute to his downfall.
At the beginning of the play Macbeth is a brave war hero. When Malcolm is named Prince of Cumberland, Macbeth becomes jealous. He admits his "black and deep desires". He also says to - let the eye wink at the hand?, or, to let the eye be blind to the hand's deed. This is when Macbeth first realizes that he may have to play an active part in making the witches? prophecy come true. He is even willing to do something drastic in order to become king. Before killing Duncan, Macbeth says that he has no ?spur to prick the sides of [his] intent, but only vaulting ambition.? He is tired of simply being a warrior. He wants to have more power. Instead of letting fate take its course he is going to kill Duncan to get what he wants."

More papers on Causes of Macbeth's Downfall:

• Book Review # 93373 : "Women in "Macbeth"
• Analytical Essay # 3434 : "Macbeth"
• Comparison Essay # 22561 : "Tragedy Compared"

APA Citation:

MLA Citation: